Mastering the Art of Time – Secrets to Getting More Done
Probably the most frequent question I get is, ‘How do you manage your time?’. Let's tackle this question
Good Morning team,
Time – we all have the same 168 hours in a week, yet some people make it look like they’ve found the secret 25th hour. What’s their trick? Are they magicians? Or maybe just master of a crucial skill: time management.
Probably the most frequent question I get is, ‘How do you manage your time?’. Let's tackle this question and also stay tuned to an exciting announcement at the end of this newsletter.
Here’s the deal: managing your time well isn’t about squeezing every drop out of every minute (that’s exhausting, and let’s be honest – impossible). It’s about knowing which moments to pour into your passions, purpose, and productivity, and which ones to let go of (hello, endless scrolling).
Here are a few tactics to help you get more out of the week and achieve the goals you’re aiming for:
1. The Eisenhower Matrix – Decide What Deserves Your Time
Imagine everything on your to-do list and sort it into one of these four categories: Urgent and Important, Important but Not Urgent, Urgent but Not Important, and Neither. This simple trick of prioritization cuts through the noise. Hint: Most “urgent” emails? They belong in the last category (they’ll survive without you).
2. The 2-Minute Rule – Just Do It, Now
We all know the tiny tasks that pile up and become stress-inducing mountains (yes, that “quick” email reply you’ve been avoiding). Enter the 2-Minute Rule: if a task will take less than two minutes, knock it out immediately. This rule clears the clutter and keeps procrastination at bay.
Bonus: once you start tackling small tasks, you’ll likely get into the groove and knock off a few bigger ones too. It’s the time management version of a snowball effect (minus the winter coat).
3. Time Blocking – Protecting Your Productivity
Ever sit down to focus only to have a “quick chat” turn into a 30-minute deep dive into random topics? Try time blocking. Allocate specific hours for focused work, emails, meetings, and breaks. Make these blocks untouchable (yes, even if your friend is sending you hilarious memes). Treat these slots like meetings with your most important client – you.
4. The 90-Minute Rule – Ride Your Peak Productivity
Most people work best in 90-minute spurts, after which our productivity naturally dips. Try setting a timer and working in a 90-minute block, followed by a 20-30 minute break. This lets you ride your natural productivity waves without feeling like you’re swimming against the current.
5. The One-Word Focus – The Power of ‘No’
Ask yourself: does this task align with my focus for the week? If the answer is “not really,” consider the liberating power of “No.” High achievers often have no shortage of projects, requests, and bright ideas – but knowing when to say “no” to what doesn’t serve your top goals can be game-changing. Less is sometimes more, especially when you’re laser-focused.
If these tips hit home, imagine diving into them for three solid hours. That’s right – I’m organizing a Self-Authoring Masterclass on Time Management next month, designed for people ready to master the time game. We’ll dig deep into strategies like these, but also into tools that help you design and own a weekly schedule that fuels your life, career, and purpose.
It’s impossible for me to give you specific or bespoke advice through this diary so through this masterclass, we can get into details and explore your specific context.
Here’s to getting more out of every week,
M.T. Omoniyi